“Chewing Tobacco or E-Cigs Safer For Me?” - Las Vegas Family Dentist Responds

Those who are deciding to kick the habit often wonder if chewing tobacco is a viable, safer alternative. Unfortunately for those wondering, it is NOT a safer alternative by any means.

It may even be worse.

Research has shown that smokeless tobacco users are at an increased risk of cancer of the oral cavity compared to smokers. This is because smokeless tobacco remains in the mouth for long periods of time, causing harm.

Other Issues of Chewing Tobacco

Chewing tobacco may not come with the same risks as smoking it, but it does with it’s own set of risks and complications from habitual use:

• Leukoplakia – white patches in your mouth that often lead to cancer.

• Receding gums – since the pouch is left in the mouth for long.

• Oral cancer – esophagus, pancreas, pharynx, stomach, and throat are possible as well as the tobacco juices are constantly swallowed.

• Excess bacteria – pouches often contain a large amount of sugar that sits in your mouth, causing a party for bacteria which lead to decay and periodontal disease.

Verdict: no, chewing tobacco is absolutely not recommend over smoking tobacco as it is either just as bad or worse.

Read More on the Dangers of Tobacco. 

What About E-Cigarettes? Are They Safer?

There has not been much research performed yet on the topic of electronic cigarettes and the effect they have on oral hygiene. Whether or not they are truly “safe” is still in question with no definitive evidence.

However, electronic cigarettes come with certain benefits offered over traditional cigarettes:

• Not as likely to yellow your teeth – there is no tar involved with electronic cigarettes, which is responsible for yellow teeth from smoking regular cigarettes over time.

• No smell – well, there is a SMALL amount of smell upon inhaling, but otherwise you will not have to worry about smoke lingering on your clothes. 

• No combustion – there are no flames involved so combustion does not occur during e-cigarette usage. Water vapor occurs instead and it is healthier than the byproducts created during combustion.

With that said, we still cannot safely recommend e-cigarettes as a viable alternative to cigarettes as they have not been fully researched yet. But we can acknowledge the fact that it offers positive benefits over both cigarettes and chewing tobacco.

All we can really recommend is to kick the habit and find a new hobby. Of course, it’s much easier said than done but it’s quite the accomplishment to be proud of and there are plenty of ways to receive help – including your very own Las Vegas dentist!

Everything You Need to Know About Dental Plaque

Dental plaque, it’s our teeth’s worst nightmare. It’s the main reason many of us suffer from oral heath problems most often related to tooth decay in some form. Tooth decay stems from dental plaque. It’s the reason your dentist wants you to stay on top of brushing and flossing all of the time.

So exactly what is dental plaque? Plaque is the dental biofilm that covers your teeth after a chemical reaction in your teeth takes place. Dental plaque forms on the teeth when your body begins breaking down the foods you consume when chewing. The carbohydrates from these foods mesh with the bacteria in your mouth to form the dental plaque, which must be cleaned away at least twice a day to keep it from getting out of control.

The chemical reaction occurs with carbohydrates, which is why sugary foods are frowned upon in the eyes of your dentist; they help cause the formation of plaque. There are a few things you can do to keep dental plaque from overtaking your mouth:

-Brush twice a day and floss at least once (preferably after every large meal consumed you should brush and floss).

-Use toothpastes that feature fluoride as it has shown to reduce plaque in the mouth.

-Your toothbrush can only do so much at home, visit your dentist twice a month in order to have any remaining plaque (which may have hardened into tartar) scraped off with the necessary tools.

-Replace the sugary snacks with something a little healthier such as fruits, vegetables, and plain yogurts.

Do your part, follow our above advice on oral hygiene, and you should be able to keep your plaque down to healthy levels.

Going Beyond Toothbrushes and Floss

Do you ever feel like your regular cleaning routine just isn't cutting it? Sometimes, if we are not thorough enough, even practicing steps for good oral hygiene can leave your teeth vulnerable to cavities.

At our dental office, during your bi-annual professional cleanings with our hygienist, you will always have a more thorough clean feeling than your normal brushing and flossing. This is because our oral hygienist uses special tools to help get beneath the gums and into tough to reach spots that you may not be able to even see when brushing at home.

If you would like a more thorough clean, there are some simple tools we recommend to compliment your everyday brushing and flossing. At the very least we recommend using plaque staining tablets every once in a while. When crushed and left in the mouth, these tablets will leave a light pigment on any plaque that was missed during cleaning, allowing you to easily see what areas need to be brushed once more. This pigment is temporary and can help you find out if you have a habit of skipping over any areas in the mouth.

Those with braces or who have a history with gum disease should take extra care to ensure their teeth are thoroughly cleaned twice a day to prevent future decay. For more useful tools that can help improve your at home care, visit our site, or talk to one of our dentists.